6 best ATV gun mounts That Protect Your Scope

Out checking the back fence line at first light, you spot a coyote slinking into the brush near the chicken coop. This is the moment a farm ATV proves its worth, but only if the rifle you brought along is ready to do its job. A scope that’s been rattled out of alignment by a cheap gun mount is worse than no rifle at all, turning a necessary tool into an unreliable liability.

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Why a Quality ATV Gun Mount is Essential

The constant vibration and jarring impacts of riding across a pasture or down a rutted track are brutal on a firearm’s sensitive optics. A rifle scope is a precision instrument, and its zero—the alignment of the crosshairs with the bullet’s point of impact—is fragile. A substandard mount that fails to absorb shock or hold the firearm securely will inevitably cause that zero to shift, rendering the rifle inaccurate precisely when you need it for pest control or managing predators.

Beyond accuracy, a quality mount is a matter of safety and equipment preservation. A firearm that comes loose can be a serious hazard, not to mention the risk of damaging a rifle and scope that can cost well over a thousand dollars. A good mount secures the firearm against being snagged by branches or dropped during a rough ride. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about protecting your investment and ensuring your tool is safe and effective.

Think of a good gun mount as insurance for your rifle’s reliability. It isolates the firearm from the worst of the ATV’s movement, preserving your scope’s zero and protecting the gun’s finish from scratches and dings. When you need to make a quick, ethical shot to protect your livestock, you can’t be second-guessing whether your scope is still on target. A dependable mount provides that essential peace of mind.

Kolpin Rhino Grip XL: Most Versatile Choice

If you need a mount that can carry a scoped rifle one day and a shovel or string trimmer the next, the Kolpin Rhino Grip XL is the answer. Its simple, heavy-duty C-clamp design and flexible, ratcheting grips can accommodate an incredible variety of tools and firearms. The soft, durable rubber provides excellent cushioning, which is critical for protecting a scope from high-frequency vibrations that can loosen internal components over time.

These grips can be mounted nearly anywhere on an ATV’s rack or handlebars, giving you total control over placement. You can position your firearm for quick access or tuck it away to avoid trailside brush. The main tradeoff is that the Rhino Grip offers no protection from mud, dust, or rain. It holds the firearm securely, but it doesn’t shield it from the elements.

The Rhino Grip XL is for the hobby farmer who values flexibility above all else. It’s for the person who needs a single, reliable system to transport a deer rifle during hunting season, a .22 for pest control in the spring, and a post-hole digger for fence work in the summer. If you need a do-it-all solution and are diligent about cleaning your firearm after every trip, this is the most practical and versatile mount you can buy.

All Rite Pack Rack for Two-Rifle Transport

The All Rite Pack Rack is built on a foundation of rugged simplicity. It’s a classic for a reason: the design consists of two sets of cushioned, fork-style holders mounted on a solid bar, allowing you to carry two long guns side-by-side. The alternating high-and-low forks are specifically designed to keep scopes and bolts from banging into each other, a simple but crucial detail for protecting your optics.

This mount is ideal for those times when you need more than one firearm. Perhaps you’re heading out to check on cattle and want both a varmint rifle and a shotgun for snakes, or you have a partner riding with you. The internal steel core provides rigidity, while the thick rubber coating absorbs shock and prevents scratches. Like the Rhino Grips, however, this system leaves your firearms completely exposed to the elements.

Choose the All Rite Pack Rack if your primary need is securely transporting two firearms at once without them interfering with each other. It’s a straightforward, durable, and time-tested design that does its job without any fuss. For the farmer who often works with a helper or needs tactical flexibility with multiple firearms, this is the most efficient and reliable choice.

Great Day Quick-Draw: The Overhead Solution

When immediate access is your top priority, an overhead mount is the only way to go. The Great Day Quick-Draw mounts to the ATV’s front or rear cargo rack, positioning one or two firearms directly overhead in easy reach. This keeps your rifle out of the mud and away from brush, and most importantly, allows you to grab it without dismounting—a critical advantage when dealing with a fleeting predator.

The design uses soft, rubber-cradled clips that hold the firearm securely without putting pressure on the scope. The gun is held parallel to the rider, which is a very natural position to draw from. The main consideration is vehicle compatibility; you need open cargo racks, and it may interfere with certain windshields or other accessories. It also places your firearm in a more visible, less discreet position.

The Quick-Draw is the specialist’s tool. This is the mount for the farmer whose ATV is a dedicated workhorse for property patrol and predator management. If your primary use case involves needing to deploy a firearm in seconds to protect your flock or herd, the unparalleled speed and convenience of this system make it the best option, hands down.

Seizmik ICOS 2 AR for Secure In-Cab Mounting

For those of us running a UTV or Side-by-Side, protecting firearms inside the cab is a major advantage. The Seizmik ICOS 2 AR (In-Cab On-Seat) is brilliantly designed to do just that, holding two firearms securely between the driver and passenger on the seat. It’s specifically molded to accommodate modern sporting rifles with magazines and large optics, which many traditional mounts struggle with.

The primary benefit here is total protection from weather, dust, and prying eyes. Your rifles stay clean, dry, and secure. The muzzle-down orientation ensures they are always pointed in a safe direction, and the foam-lined holders prevent any rattling or vibration from reaching the scope. The tradeoff is access speed; you must stop and unbuckle the firearm, which is slower than an open-rack mount.

If you operate a UTV and your primary concerns are security and keeping expensive, optics-heavy firearms out of the elements, the ICOS 2 AR is the clear winner. It’s not for quick-draw scenarios, but for safely and securely transporting valuable firearms through rough conditions, its design is unmatched. This is the mount for the modern farmer who has invested in a UTV and wants to protect their tools accordingly.

Kolpin Stronghold Gun Boot for Full Coverage

When absolute, bomb-proof protection is non-negotiable, the Kolpin Stronghold Gun Boot is the definitive choice. This isn’t just a mount; it’s a fully enclosed, hard-sided case that locks into a dedicated bracket on your ATV. It completely shields your firearm and its scope from mud, water, dust, and severe impacts. You could roll the ATV, and the rifle inside would likely remain unscathed.

The interior is lined and spacious enough for most scoped rifles or shotguns. This system provides the highest level of security and protection possible. However, that total protection comes at the cost of access. Getting the rifle out requires opening the hinged lid and sliding it out, a process that takes time and can’t be done in a hurry.

The Stronghold Gun Boot is for the farmer who operates in the most extreme conditions or needs to leave a firearm on the machine for extended periods. If you’re navigating dense, muddy woods, crossing creeks, or working in relentless rain, this is the only system that guarantees your rifle will be clean, dry, and functional when you arrive. It prioritizes preservation over presentation, making it ideal for the harshest farm environments.

Big Sky Racks SBR-2G: A Telescoping Mount

Another excellent option for UTVs or ATVs with roll cages is the Big Sky Racks SBR-2G. This overhead rack uses a telescoping steel tube, allowing it to be custom-fitted to a wide range of vehicle widths for a clean, factory-like installation. It holds two firearms in padded, high-density nylon cradles, keeping them tucked up high and out of the way.

The key advantage of this system is its combination of secure, scope-safe storage and relatively quick access. The hook-and-loop straps are quiet and easy to operate, and the overhead position keeps the firearms clean and protected from most trail hazards. It’s a more refined and adjustable alternative to simpler overhead racks, offering a very stable, vibration-resistant platform.

The Big Sky Rack is for the UTV owner who wants a professional-grade, permanent mounting solution. It’s less about grab-and-go speed and more about secure, organized, and out-of-the-way transport. If you value a clean cab and a rock-solid mount that protects your scopes through padded contact points, this is a premium choice that justifies its cost through superior stability and fit.

Key Features in a Scope-Safe Gun Mount

When you’re evaluating any gun mount, the goal is to isolate your scope from the harsh realities of off-road travel. Several key features are non-negotiable for achieving this. Look for a system that puts a premium on vibration dampening. This means thick rubber, soft foam, or other pliable materials at every point the firearm makes contact with the mount. Hard plastic or bare metal will transfer every bump and jolt directly to your scope.

The locking mechanism is equally important. It needs to be strong enough to prevent any movement, front-to-back or side-to-side. A rifle that can wiggle even slightly in its mount is a rifle whose zero is constantly at risk. Look for features like:

• Deep, cushioned forks that cradle the stock and barrel.
• Ratcheting straps or clamps that can be cinched down tightly.
• Solid mounting hardware that won’t loosen over time.

Finally, consider the overall construction. A mount made from a single piece of steel or a reinforced polymer will be far more rigid and reliable than one pieced together with multiple weak joints. The best mounts are simple, robust, and designed to absorb energy rather than transfer it. Don’t get distracted by complicated features; focus on how well the design holds the firearm still and insulates it from shock.

Proper Installation for Zero-Shift Prevention

You can buy the most expensive, well-designed gun mount on the market, but it will fail to protect your scope if it isn’t installed correctly. The single biggest mistake is failing to get the mounting bolts tight enough. Every component, from the bracket on the ATV rack to the clamps holding the rifle, must be torqued down to prevent any play in the system. A loose mount is the number one cause of a shifting zero.

When installing, use a thread-locking compound like Loctite on all bolts. The constant vibration of an ATV will work even the tightest bolts loose over time, and a drop of thread-locker is the best defense against this. After your first few rides, go back and re-check every bolt for tightness. Make this a regular part of your ATV maintenance routine, just like checking the oil or tire pressure.

Pay close attention to where you mount the rack. Avoid positioning it in a way that puts stress on the firearm or allows it to be hit by low-hanging branches. The goal is to create a stable, integrated system where the mount becomes a rigid extension of the ATV frame. A properly installed mount doesn’t just hold your rifle; it becomes a protective platform for it.

Long-Term Firearm Care on the Farm ATV

A gun mount is just one part of a larger system for maintaining your farm rifle. The dust, mud, and moisture encountered on an ATV are incredibly corrosive. After every trip, especially in wet or muddy conditions, it’s essential to wipe down the firearm and its scope. Pay special attention to the area under the scope rings and around the action, where moisture can get trapped.

Even with the best mount, you should periodically confirm your rifle’s zero. Don’t wait until you miss a shot at a predator to discover a problem. A quick trip to a safe backstop to fire a single confirmation shot every few weeks provides confidence and ensures you are always ready. This is a fundamental part of responsible firearm ownership and effective farm management.

Finally, consider a light coat of a quality rust-inhibiting oil on all metal surfaces. For the scope, use proper lens cloths and cleaning solutions to avoid scratching the coatings. Treating your farm rifle with the same care as a prized hunting rifle ensures it will last for decades and perform reliably whenever it’s called upon. Your ATV is a tool, and the rifle you carry on it is a tool—both require consistent maintenance to function properly.

Ultimately, the best ATV gun mount is the one that fits your specific machine, your firearm, and the unique demands of your property. It’s not just an accessory, but a critical investment in the reliability of your most important tools. By choosing a mount that secures your firearm and protects its scope, you ensure it will be ready and accurate the moment you need it most.